Hope everyone is doing OK during this coronavirus pandemic where virtually all sports have been put on hold or even cancelled, as in the NCAA basketball tournaments for men and women, and all spring NCAA sports.

We’re all washing our hands, keeping them away from our faces (the latter easier said than done) and practicing social distancing, correct?

Here's an NHL.com story on HOW NHL IS DEALING WITH BEING ON PAUSE.

The league on Monday issued new guidelines for players following a directive from the Centers for Disease Control recommending that all gatherings of more than 50 people be cancelled over the next eight weeks, meaning we’re looking at May as the earliest play could resume.

League officials appear to be hopeful of holding some sort of mini training camps roughly 45 days into that period covered by the CDC recommendation, which could mean late April depending on world developments.

Players are free to return to their homes (air transportation could be a problem) but need to report any symptoms or test results to their respective team’s medical staff.

Update from the NHL regarding player activity and movement during season pause: pic.twitter.com/yeFjII7W49

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 16, 2020

Good news dept.: The Avalanche’s parent company, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, announced that it will continue to pay its part-time and hourly employees for the next 30 days. The company asked its vendors and partners to do the same.

The company also announced that, along with its vendors, donated food that otherwise would have been wasted. They work with “We Don’t Waste,” a local food recovery program.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis recommended that no gatherings of 250 or more people be held for the next 30 days, so no events will be held in that period at the Pepsi Center, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Paramount Theater and 1stBank Center – all Kroenke Sports & Entertainment properties.

*****

This came down a few days ago, but the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that the Rangers’ Brendan Lemieux eventually will be suspended for his hit against the Avalanche’s Joonas Donskoi in last Wednesday’s game at the Pepsi Center.

It already seems like that game took place a month ago.

Following a hearing today, the DOPS has determined that Brendan Lemieux will be suspended for his hit on Joonas Donskoi Wednesday night. The precise parameters of the suspension will be determined and announced once resumption of play guidelines have been established.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 13, 2020

Follow @RickS7